Eric Ten Hag eventually speaks up to one of Manchester United best star about the fact that he is no longer a member of Manchester United, that he is now old and unable to run, and that he should be allowed to leave. The departure of the player is set to marks the end of an era for Manchester United. His style on and off the field was pivotal during a transitional period for the club.
At the Amex Stadium, Manchester United endured their second Premier League defeat of the season in a frustrating encounter against Brighton. The match was defined by missed chances and defensive mistakes, which ultimately proved costly for United, leaving both fans and players to contemplate the loss.
The first setback occurred when Harry Maguire’s error allowed former United striker Danny Welbeck to open the scoring for Brighton. The goal, coming nearly a decade after Welbeck left Old Trafford, highlighted the defensive issues that have troubled United in recent seasons.
United started the game brightly, creating several promising opportunities. One notable chance fell to Amad, who failed to capitalize, sending his shot wide and keeping the match goalless. Brighton gained confidence after this, gradually taking control as the first half unfolded.
At the break, manager Erik ten Hag made an early substitution, introducing Joshua Zirkzee for Mason Mount, who had struggled to make an impact in the first half. United were looking to increase their attacking threat in search of an equalizer.
Around the hour mark, Amad made up for his earlier miss by scoring the equalizer. Determined to redeem himself, he finished well to level the score, reigniting United’s hopes of a comeback.
United almost took the lead through Alejandro Garnacho, whose effort found the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out due to Joshua Zirkzee’s offside interference. This moment of misfortune encapsulated United’s day, as luck seemed to desert them.
The game’s decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Brighton’s Pedro, left unmarked, headed in the winning goal, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for the hosts. The late strike was a bitter blow for Manchester United, who had fought hard but were ultimately undone in the dying moments.
Post-match player ratings reflected a mixed bag of performances from the United squad. Andre Onana, who had some bright moments, was rated six, while Noussair Mazraoui, involved in the first goal, received a five. Harry Maguire, criticized for his role in Welbeck’s goal, was also given a five, and Lisandro Martinez, who missed a key defensive moment, was rated six. Diogo Dalot, who created several chances, was awarded a seven.
Casemiro’s form declined as the game progressed, earning him a rating of five, while Kobbie Mainoo, who seemed fatigued, was also rated five. Amad, despite scoring the equalizer, received a five due to his earlier misses.
In summary, Manchester United’s performance against Brighton was marred by defensive errors, missed chances, and moments of bad luck. These factors combined to deny them a positive result as they look ahead to their next Premier League challenge.
